About This Program:

Our Finishing Trades Institute is proud of its achievements in providing professional finishers to the building industry of Northern and Central California and Nevada. Crafts include Commercial Painting, Drywall Finishing, Floor Covering, Glazing, Highway Striping, and Industrial Painting. Our world-class training centers, instructors and curriculum were created to output expert craftspeople to meet the demands of a thriving construction industry. Best of all, apprentices EARN WHILE THEY LEARN. Our apprenticeship program along with Oakland Adult & Career Education welcomes interested individuals of all ages above 18 years old, including former military, and is an equal opportunity organization* that encourages women and minorities to apply.

Program Flyers:

Finishing Trade Pathway Description PDF

Registration Flyer PDF

Program Eligibility:

Must be 18 or older
Have valid government issued
driver’s license
Eligible to work in the
U.S.(valid social security or
ITIN number)
Have a valid email address
Ability to lift 40-50 lbs
Must be able to commit to a full time schedule, M-F 7am-2:30p (cannot miss a day)
Priority given to graduates of OUSD and Oakland residents
No high school diploma necessary

Class Details:

Each DC16 cohort is 4 weeks
Class meets: 7:00AM-2:30PM **Students must arrive on time**
Location: Parker Community Resource Center - 7929 Ney Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605

Build a new career in one of the following high demand fields:

COMMERCIAL PAINTING Pathway

Applicants must show a proficiency in reading paint and warning labels for toxic materials as determined by the Finishing Trades Institute. Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage, including full health coverage and other limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program. Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training hours along with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become a journeyman at the end of the program.

COMMERCIAL PAINTING

DRYWALL FINISHING

DRYWALL FINISHING Pathway

Apprentices will be taught all the necessary work skills to prepare walls and ceilings for different
finishes and create a ready surface for Painters to apply any of their coatings. Work is performed on all
types of new and old buildings. Apprentices will receive proper training in safety, reading blueprints, and
trade tools.
Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage including full health coverage and
other limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program. Apprentice wages
increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training hours along with passing
credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become a journeyman.

FLOOR COVERING Pathway

Applicants must show a proficiency in reading paint and warning labels for toxic materials as determined
by the Finishing Trades Institute. Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage
including full health coverage and other limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in
the Program.
Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training
hours along with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they
become a journeyman.

FLOOR COVERING

Glazing

GLAZING Pathway

Apprentices will be taught all the necessary work skills, including but not limited to the safe handling, cutting,
preparation, and installation of all types of glass or products used where glass would normally be installed or
replaced. Examples include but are not limited to interior or exterior partitions, curtain wall, skylights, storefront, protection and/or security applications. Other skills include work involving fabrication and installation of extruded metal tubes, metal facing materials, window wall and curtain wall construction.

Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage, including full health coverage and other
limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program. Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training hours along with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become a journeyman.

INDUSTRIAL PAINTING Pathway

Applicants must show a proficiency in reading paint and warning labels for toxic materials as determined
by the Finishing Trades Institute Applicants must show a proficiency in reading paint and warning labels for toxic materials as determined by the Finishing Trades Institute. Apprentices will be taught all the necessary work skills and safety practices that apply to work on bridges, industrial plants, new and old buildings, and other types of structures.

Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage, including full health coverage and other
limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program. Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training hours along with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become a journeyman at the end of the program. Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage including full health coverage and other limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program.

Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training hours along
with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become a journeyman.

INDUSTRIAL PAINTING

HIGHWAY STRIPING

HIGHWAY STRIPING Pathway

Finishing Trades Institute Highway Stripers are craftspersons trained through a State of California Certified
Apprenticeship & Training program. Graduation to Journeyman level requires 3 years of combined classroom
and on-the-job training. Beginning apprentices receive a percentage of journeyman wage including full
health coverage and other limited fringe benefits that increase with each progressive step in the Program.

Apprentice wages increase every six months as they complete a combination of on-the-job training
hours along with passing credit for classroom and hands-on training at our training facilities until they become
a journeyman at the end of the program.

In This Section

Finishing Trades Pre-Apprenticeship